Physical feedback to indicate object directional slide

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and medium are provided for enabling a user to control a mobile communications device that includes a vibration component. One embodiment of the method includes presenting an object on a touchscreen display of the mobile communications device; enabling the object to be moveable on the touchscreen by way of a touch interaction; in real time, continuously varying an intensity of an output of the vibration component to cause a vibrational response of the mobile communications device, such that movement of the object in a first direction causes a first continuous vibrational output, and movement of the object in a second direction causes a second continuous vibrational output.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of, and expressly incorporates byreference, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/040,149, filed on Mar.28, 2008.

The following five applications are related by subject matter, one ofwhich is instant application, and the other four are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein: 1) “EVENT DISPOSITION CONTROL FORMOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE” having attorney docket number5534/SPRI.140035; 2) “PERSISTENT EVENT-MANAGEMENT ACCESS IN A MOBILECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE” having attorney docket number 5535/SPRI.140036;3) “LIST-POSITION LOCATOR” having attorney docket number5537/SPRI.140038; 4) “CORRECTING DATA INPUTTED INTO A MOBILECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE” having attorney docket number 5538/SPRI.140039;5) “PHYSICAL FEEDBACK TO INDICATE OBJECT DIRECTIONAL SLIDE” havingattorney docket number 5536/SPRI.140037.

SUMMARY

The present invention is defined by the claims below, not this summary.We offer a high-level overview of embodiments of the invention here forthat reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure.

In one aspect, a method of enabling a user to control a mobilecommunications device that includes a vibration component includespresenting an object on a touchscreen display of the mobilecommunications device; enabling the object to be moveable on thetouchscreen by way of a touch interaction; and in real time,continuously varying an intensity (e.g., frequency and/or magnitude) ofan output of the vibration component to cause a vibrational response ofthe mobile communications device, such that movement of the object in afirst direction causes a first continuous vibrational output, andmovement of the object in a second direction causes a second continuousvibrational output.

In another aspect, a mobile communications device includes a radio thatfacilitates wireless communication with a telecommunications network, avibration component that is adapted to create a vibrational response ofthe mobile communications device, a touchscreen that is adapted toreceive input by way of a touch action; and a processor coupled to thevibration component and to the touchscreen. The processor is configuredto help coordinate the vibrational response to a movement of an objecton the touchscreen such that a movement of the object in a firstdirection will produce a first real-time vibrational output and that amovement of the GUI control in a second direction will result in asecond real-time vibrational output.

In another aspect, a method of utilizing real-time control of avibration component of a mobile communications device to provideinformational feedback includes receiving at the mobile communicationsdevice an indication of an occurrence of an event; presenting an objecton a touchscreen of the mobile communications device that can bemanipulated via touch action to respond to the event; and in real time,varying an intensity of a vibrational response of the vibrationcomponent consistent with a movement of the object such that movement ofthe object in a first direction results in a first vibrational output,and movement of the objection in a second direction results in a secondvibrational output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which areincorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile communications devicethat is suitable for operation of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide an overview of an illustrative mobilecommunications device suitable for practicing embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2C depicts a persistently visible predetermined region on a displayof an exemplary mobile communications device in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2D depicts an illustration of a functional aspect associated with atouch input to a predetermined region on a display of a mobilecommunications device in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2E depicts a listing of statuses of events and other informationprovided incident to a touch input at a predetermined region on adisplay of a mobile communications device in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3C depict illustrative methods of presenting on a userinterface of a mobile communications device of a persistently visiblepredetermined region capable of receiving touch input in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a modal keypad and examples of character stringsmarked with visual indications on a display of a mobile communicationsdevice in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 4C and 4D depict examples of landscape-oriented modal keypadssuitable for use in implementation of various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4E depicts an exemplary set of alternative suggested characterstrings and various user options on a display of a mobile communicationsdevice in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C depict illustrative methods of inputting data into a mobilecommunications device having a touchscreen in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a selectable option and various examples of theindication provided by the positional indicator, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts the dynamic nature of the positional indicator as theselectable option is moved in a first direction to reach a positionamong an ordered list of items, according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8A-8B depict illustrative methods of reaching a position in anordered list of items, according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9A depicts an embodiment of a slideable informational elementaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9B and 9C depict illustrative actions that can be associated withdifferent drop zones according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9D depicts more than two drop zones according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a prior art technology;

FIGS. 11A-11B depict illustrative methods of responding to eventsaccording to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 depicts an object whose directionality can be determined basedon a vibrational response according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 12A-12B depict an illustrative mapping of vibrational intensity(which can include varying frequency and/or magnitude) to displacementof an object according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 12C-12F depict illustrative curve diagrams that might describepatterns of vibrational intensity as displacement of an object variesaccording to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 13A-13B depict flow diagrams of illustrative methods of utilizingreal-time control of a vibration component to provide informationalfeedback of a movement of an object along a display of a mobilecommunications device according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the description of the present invention, several acronymsand shorthand notations are used to aid the understanding of certainconcepts pertaining to the associated system and services. Theseacronyms and shorthand notations are intended for the purpose ofproviding an easy methodology of communicating the ideas expressedherein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

Further, various technical terms are used throughout this description.An illustrative resource that fleshes out various aspects of these termscan be found in Newton's Telecom Dictionary by H. Newton, 24^(th)Edition (2008).

Embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as, among otherthings: a method, system, or computer-program product. Accordingly, theembodiments may take the form of a hardware embodiment, a softwareembodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. In oneembodiment, the present invention takes the form of a computer-programproduct that includes computer-useable instructions embodied on one ormore computer-readable media.

Computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and nonremovable media, and contemplates media readable by adatabase, a switch, and various other network devices. By way ofexample, and not limitation, computer-readable media comprise mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storing information.Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions,data structures, program modules, and other data representations. Mediaexamples include, but are not limited to information-delivery media,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM,digital versatile discs (DVD), holographic media or other optical discstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, andother magnetic storage devices. These technologies can store datamomentarily, temporarily, or permanently.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative block diagram of a mobile communicationsdevice that is suitable for operation of an embodiment of the presentinvention. Throughout this disclosure, reference will be made to amobile communications device, such as in FIG. 2A and beyond. FIG. 1depicts a selection of components that will generally be included in themobile communications device to help facilitate various functionalaspects of embodiments of the invention. As shown, a bus 110 couples,directly or indirectly, the following illustrative components: a storagecomponent 112, a processor 116, a touchscreen display 118, a radio 120,input/output ports 122, a vibrating component 124 and a power supply126.

Storage components 112 may take the form of the aforementionedcomputer-readable media. As with all of the illustrative components ofFIG. 1, although we refer to them sometimes in the singular, that shouldnot be read so as to imply that we mean only a single of each of thecomponents is contemplated within the scope of our invention. To thecontrary, by way of example, storage component or components 112 mayactually be composed of constituent storage components located withinmobile device 100. A portion or separate storage component includesdatabase 114. In one embodiment, as will be explained in greater detailbelow, database 114 can be used to store a library of words or termsthat can be referenced in connection with facilitating text entry by wayof a keyboard presented on touchscreen display 118.

Processors 116 facilitate a flow of information among all or a portionof the components shown in FIG. 1 as well as computer-usableinstructions that help facilitate various aspects of the presentinvention. For example, in one embodiment, an operating system of mobiledevice 100 also helps coordinate various functional aspects of thepresent invention. Processors 116 operate in connection with runningsuch an operating system.

Touchscreen display 118 provides one avenue of inputting data intodevice 100. In one embodiment, touchscreen display 118 takes the form ofa resistive touch screen, but in some embodiments, it might becapacitive. Touchscreen display 118 receives input by way of touchactions that cause a device to come in contact with touchscreen display118. An illustrative example includes a user utilizing his or her fingerto tap or use some other form of touch action to interact with mobiledevice 100. Other items such as a stylus, fingernail, etc. may be usedto provide input to mobile device 100 by way of touchscreen display 118.Other illustrative touch actions include a sliding motion as well asmultipoint touches.

Radios 120 facilitate the communication of wireless communicationsignals to and from mobile device 100. Illustrative protocols that canbe utilized in connection with an embodiment of the present inventioninclude CVMA, TVMA, GSM, GPRS, EVVO, etc. The radios facilitate wirelesscommunications between the device and a national or even globaltelecommunications network.

Input/output ports 122 provide a way for mobile device 100 to interactwith other peripheral components. Illustrative input/output portsinclude an ear-piece or headphone jack, a USB port, an infrared port,and the like. Different input/output ports could be provided as isneeded to facilitate communication of other peripheral components.

Vibrating component 124 enables mobile device 100 to experience avibrating action incident to an occurrence of different events.Vibrating component 124 may take on a variety of forms, such as a motorthat operates with an offset mass. In one embodiment, vibratingcomponent 124 takes the form of a haptics motor. Vibrating component 124includes the ability to operate at various frequencies, which can becontrolled by way of different software or hardware mechanisms of mobiledevice 100. That is, instead of mere playback of a vibrating action,vibrating component 124 can respond in real time to a varying stimulus.

Power supply 126 may also take on a variety of forms ranging from abattery to a charging mechanism to other forms of power sources thatserve to provide power to mobile device 100.

The selected components of mobile device 100 are meant to beillustrative in nature, and the various lower-level details of thecomponents are not elaborated on so as to not obscure the presentinvention. Clearly, some of the components may be absent in someembodiments of the present invention, and additional components notshown may also be part of mobile device 100. Attempting to show all ofthe various components of mobile device 100 would obscure certain novelaspects, and we will refrain from such elaboration at least for the sakeof brevity.

Persistent Event-Management Access in a Mobile Communications Device

An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention includes an abilityto view notification of new events with minimal effort by way of amobile communications device. In one embodiment, a way to providenotification of new events (such as receiving a voicemail, instantmessage, etc.) is to provide a dynamically updateable list of items thatindicates a change in status of an event, wherein the list is viewableby touching a predetermined region on a touchscreen device that is partof the mobile communications device.

Turning now to FIG. 2C, another representation of a mobilecommunications device is provided and referenced generally by thenumeral 210. We use a separate reference numeral to help map the instanttext to a relevant figure, but we do not mean to convey that mobiledevice 210 is different than any of the other many references to amobile device throughout this disclosure, including the block-diagramrepresentation of FIG. 1. Mobile device 210 includes a display 212,which in one embodiment is a touchscreen display that is able to receiveinput by way of touch actions or interactions. Touchscreen display 212may be adapted to receive any number of types of touch actions such assingle touches, taps, slides, or other gestures. Additionally, invarious embodiments, touchscreen display 212 may be adapted to receivemultiple simultaneous touch actions that may generate a type of inputdistinct from input generated by a single touch action.

Touchscreen display 212 also includes a predetermined region 214 thatincludes one or more dynamic icons 216 which indicate a state associatedwith the mobile communications device 210. As used herein, a stateassociated with the mobile communications device 210 may include anyconfiguration of settings, features, event notifications, etc.associated with the functionality of the device 210. For example, in oneembodiment, dynamic icons 216 may indicate that, as part of the state ofthe device 210, the battery power is at 100%, the radio signal is at acertain strength, the time of day, or any number of other statevariables known in the art. We do not mean to limit the nature of thedynamic icons displayed in the predetermined region 214 herein, and itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of iconscan be included to provide information of any kind.

In some embodiments, the predetermined region may be provided withoutincluding icons, and in other embodiments, the predetermined region maybe provided in any area of the touchscreen display 212. For clarity andconsistency, we illustrate predetermined region 214 as being provided atthe top of touchscreen display 212 but do not mean to limit thearrangement to that illustrated herein. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, predetermined region 214 may be persistently presented. Thatis, regardless of what is being displayed on the touchscreen display212, the predetermined region 214 is always displayed. Additionally,regardless of any type of application that is running, or any other typeof functionality that is being presented on display 212, thepredetermined region 214 may be visible. In various embodiments,predetermined region 214 is persistently visible, even whentransitioning between a first and second screen displayed on thetouchscreen display 212. It should be evident that the functionalityassociated with the display of predetermined region 214 is generallyindependent of many other aspects of the mobile communications device210.

In further embodiments, exceptions may be made for the persistentdisplay of predetermined region 214 such as, for example, when anapplication is being utilized that requires all of the screen realestate of display 212. Such an application may correspond to a textinput mode presented in landscape orientation or portrait orientation,an audio/video presentation, and the like. Various modifications of suchan exception may be made, including having no exception, and any one orcombination of such configurations is intended to be within the ambit ofthe present invention.

Predetermined region 214 may also include a dynamic icon 218 thatindicates whether a new event has occurred. As used herein, a new eventmay include things such as receiving a phone call, message (e.g., avoicemail, an email, a text message, and the like), initiating an alarm,receiving a file (e.g., a picture, an audio file, a video file, and thelike), or arriving at a time associated with a calendared event, whichmay be an event that, upon occurrence, triggers an alarm, notification,or reminder to be presented. In one embodiment, dynamic icon 218 may bea particular image corresponding to a particular event. For example,dynamic icon 218 may appear as a phone handset when a new call isreceived.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2C, dynamic icon 218 may berepresented as a generic image that indicates that a new event of anykind has occurred. That is, dynamic icon 218 may not be specific to anyparticular type of event, but rather may provide an indication that someevent, whatever it is, has occurred. It will be appreciated that dynamicicon 218 can be represented with any type of image. For simplicity andclarity, dynamic icon 218 is represented in FIG. 2C and subsequentfigures as a star. We do not mean, by this representation, to suggestthat dynamic icon 218 must, or even should, be represented by a star, asany type of image or symbol may be equally as useful. A star is usedherein as an arbitrary choice that provides clarity and consistencybetween the various figures.

In an embodiment of the present invention, predetermined region 214 iscapable of receiving touch input. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that touchscreen display 212 may include numerousareas or regions (including the entire touchscreen display 212) that arecapable of receiving touch input, and that the functionality provided bytouch input at a particular location of touchscreen display 212 mayvary, depending on particular applications, underlying operatingsystems, and the like. In an embodiment, predetermined region 214 may beconfigured in such a way that touch input to the predetermined region214 always produces the same type of functionality. For example, asdescribed further below, touch input to predetermined region 214 mayalways result in the presentation of a list of items.

Turning now to FIG. 2D, a mobile communications device 210 is shownwhich includes predetermined region 214 capable of receiving touchinput. A user's finger 220 is shown making contact with the touchscreendisplay 212 in the predetermined region 214. As described above, such acontact may be a touch input which may be received in predeterminedregion 214 and may result in some functionality within the mobilecommunications device 210. Although the illustration in FIG. 2D shows atouch input by way of contact between a user's finger 220 and thetouchscreen display 212, we do not mean to limit the capability oftouchscreen display 212 to receiving touch input from a finger.Touchscreen device 212 may also be capable of receiving touch input as aresult of contact with another object such as, for example, a stylus. Insome embodiments, touch input may be accomplished by way of any objectcoming into contact with touchscreen display 212.

As shown in FIG. 2D, according to an embodiment of the invention, a list222 of items may be presented incident to a touch input received by wayof the predetermined region 214. Touch input may include any number oftouch actions or gestures as described above. In one embodiment, only asingle touch action such as, for example, a tap, is necessary to producethe functionality described herein with reference to the predeterminedregion 214. In an embodiment, a subsequent similar touch action such asa single tap may cause the reverse effect of discontinuing thepresentation of, for example, the list 222. In an embodiment, the list222 of items may provide a set of statuses of events. Statuses of eventsmay include things such as whether a new event has occurred, the timesince the last event occurred, whether an event has been responded to insome way, and the like. In an embodiment, the list 222 may present alist of items, each of which indicates that a new event of some kind hasoccurred.

In an embodiment, the presentation displayed incident to receiving touchinput in the predetermined region 214 may be superimposed over the topof whatever is being displayed or interacted with on the touchscreendisplay 212 such that the presentation does not interfere with anythingassociated with that which is being displayed on display 212. Also, thepresentation may be displayed without having to first (or concurrently)transition away from the screen being displayed previous to receivingtouch input to predetermined region 214.

For example, a contacts menu may be displayed on touchscreen display 212before touch input is received in the predetermined region 214. A usermay be interacting with the contacts menu such as by creating a newcontact, selecting an existing contact, editing an entry and the like,when the user decides to provide touch input to the predetermined region214. In an embodiment, upon receiving that touch input, the listing 222may be superimposed over the top of the contacts menu without changingthe state of any functionality or display characteristics associatedwith the contacts menu. Thus, when the user causes a further touch inputto the predetermined region, in an embodiment, the list 222 may beremoved from the display, revealing the contacts menu, which may bedisplayed in exactly the same state that it was before the userinteracted with the predetermined region 214. This way, new events orother information may be viewed without interrupting the functionalityof a current application, and without having to exit or transition froma current screen to another.

Additionally, touch input by way of predetermined region 214 may resultin a presentation of information 224 associated with one or more of thedynamic icons 216. Although both the list 222 and the information 224are illustrated in FIG. 2D, in another embodiment, only a list 222 ispresented incident to receiving touch input to the predetermined region214. In a further embodiment, only the information 224 is providedincident to receiving touch input to predetermined region 214. In stillfurther embodiments, either one or both of the list 222 and/or theinformation 224 may be provided depending on any number of circumstanceswhich may be addressed by incorporating particular rules or conditions,as understood by those skilled in the art, into the programs and othercode that control the functionality of device 210. For example, in oneembodiment, the information 224 may always be displayed incident toreceiving touch input to the predetermined region 214, even though thelist 222 may not be displayed.

Turning to FIG. 2E, additional detail is provided to help describe thenature of the information 224 and list 222, which are blown up fordetail, that are provided incident to receiving touch input by way ofpredetermined region 214. As shown in the figure, the information 224may include information associated with any number of the dynamic icons216 provided in the predetermined region 214. In an embodiment, theinformation 224 provides explanation or detail regarding the icons 216.As illustrated in FIG. 2E, information in the form of text 226 isprovided which indicates an aspect of the state of the device 210 thatcorresponds to information indicated by one or more of the icons 216. Animage 228 is also provided. The image 228 may include a duplicate of adynamic icon 216, a check box, or any other image.

Moreover, the contents of the information 224 may be somewhat static,completely static, somewhat dynamic, or completely dynamic. Forinstance, in an embodiment, the information 224 may always containimages of icons and text describing what the icons represent. In otherembodiments, the icons and associated text provided may vary dependingon which icons are presented in the predetermined region. In anotherembodiment, the information 224 may present a duplicate icon along withtext explaining the status of the functionality represented by the icon,which may vary depending on the state of the device 210. In still afurther embodiment, text may be provided along with a check box, thatwhen checked indicates that the subject matter of the text is relevantto the current state of the device 210. Any number of combinations ofthe above examples, including other possibilities and configurations arepossible and are intended to be within the ambit of the presentinvention.

With continued reference to FIG. 2E, a list 222 of items 230, 232, 234,236, 238, 240 is shown. In an embodiment, the list 222 may contain feweritems than illustrated, and in another embodiment, the list 222 maycontain more items than illustrated. In one embodiment, the list 222 maycontain more items than will fit within the display area of thetouchscreen display 212 and a scrolling function may be provided todisplay additional items. The items 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240 presentstatuses of events such as, for example, new events. New events may beevents that have occurred without any notification other than thatpresented within the list 222.

That is, in one case a user may be interacting with a screen that liststext messages received. While interacting with or viewing that screen, anew text message may be received. In this case, the user may be notifiedof the receipt of the new text message by seeing an indication on thescreen with which the user is interacting. In one embodiment, this newmessage is not included as a new event in the listing 222. However, in asimilar embodiment, if a new voicemail is received while the user isinteracting within the text message screen, the new voicemail may beincluded in the listing 222 as a new event.

In other embodiments, an event may be included in the list 222 so longas the event has not been acted on by a user. That is, so long as a userdoes not view, reply to, interact with, or in some other way confirmreceipt or notification of the event, the event may be included in thelist 222. In still further embodiments, the list 222 may be adapted tobe configured by a user such that the user can determine the conditionsunder which an event will be included in the list 222. Similarly, anynumber of possibilities exist for the type of status of an event thatmay be reflected in the listing 222 of statuses, as will be understoodby the description above.

In an embodiment, the list may include any number of items 230, 232,234, 236, 238, 240 that present statuses of events. The items 230, 232,234, 236, 238, 240 may be dynamically updateable, in that theirpresentation may vary as new events occur, as statuses of events change,etc. In an embodiment, the list 222 only includes items 230, 232, 234,236, 238, 240 that correspond to a particular status such as “new.”Thus, for example, if the only new event that the device 210 hasreceived (or has observed the occurrence of) the list 222 may onlypresent that single item. In another embodiment, the list 222 maypresent a set of statuses for events wherein the set of eventsrepresented remains consistent, but the notification of the statuseschanges. This feature may also be one that is inherent to thefunctionality of the device 210, or in other embodiments may be afeature that is configurable by a user or service provider.

As shown in FIG. 2E, an item 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240 within thelisting 222 may include any number of types of information. In anembodiment, a text string 244 is provided which indicates the type ofevent associated with the particular item 232. Each item 230, 232, 234,236, 238, 240 may contain such a text string. Additionally, an image 242is provided, as shown in item 230. The image 242 may be any type ofimage, and in one embodiment, the image corresponds to the type of eventassociated with the item 230. In another embodiment, the image 242corresponds to the specific event that corresponds to the item 230. Forexample, if a new email is received, the item 232 representing that newevent may include an image 242 that includes a picture of the sender ofthe new email. In a further embodiment, an image is not provided.Additionally, an indicator 246 is provided that indicates the number ofnew events associated with a particular type of event. Thus, forexample, if one new email has arrived, the indicator 246 may be anumeral “1.” The information presented within an item 230, 232, 234,236, 238, 240 may take any number of different forms and may be preset,determined by a service provider, a user, or any other party orfunctionality.

In an embodiment, items 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240 are capable ofbeing interacted with by touch input, which can include focusinteractions or even motion gestures. That is, each of items 230, 232,234, 236, 238, 240 may include a particular region or area of thetouchscreen display 212 that is capable of receiving touch input. Uponreceiving touch input to an item 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, furtherinformation may be presented. That further information, in anembodiment, corresponds to the event or events associated with the itemthat received touch input. For example, incident to receiving touchinput to the item 232 associated with receipt of a new email, furtherinformation such as the time, sender, subject, etc., of the email may beprovided. In another embodiment, touch input to item 232 may result inthe presentation of the text of the new email. In still furtherembodiments, touch input to item 232 may cause the presentation of anemail inbox, listing all or a portion of received email messages. Itwill be appreciated that any number of the above, combinations of theabove, or other configurations may be utilized in presenting furtherinformation incident to receiving touch input to an item.

To recapitulate, we have described an aspect of the invention thatrelates to performing a method of presenting on a user interface of amobile communications device a persistently visible predetermined regioncapable of receiving touch input. With reference to FIG. 3A, oneembodiment of this method includes, at a step 320, on a user interface,presenting a persistently visible predetermined region capable ofreceiving touch input on a first screen. The first screen on which thepredetermined region is presented may present a first set ofinformation. Additionally, the predetermined region is capable of beinginteracted with by way of a touch input such that receiving a touchinput to the predetermined region causes a listing of a set of statusesof events to be presented, as described above.

The first set of information may include any information associated witha feature, aspect, functionality, option, etc., of the mobilecommunications device. For example, the first screen may include a menuthat presents information in the form of items that correspond tofurther menus, lists, applications, or other features. We do not mean tolimit the scope of the first set of information as used herein, andrecognize that the first set of information may be anything displayableon a display device of a mobile communications device, and may includetext, objects, items, graphics, and the like.

A step 322 includes transitioning to a second screen that presents asecond set of information while presenting the predetermined region. Thesecond set of information, like the first set of information, mayinclude anything displayable on a mobile communications device.Additionally, the predetermined region is persistently viewable duringand after the transition. At a step 324, a touch input is received tothe predetermined region. Incident to receiving the touch input, at astep 326, a listing of a set of statuses of events is presented. Asindicated above, the listing may be presented without affecting thefunctionality of the second screen, and may be superimposed over thesecond set of information, such that a subsequent touch input may removethe listing, revealing the second set of information associated with thesecond screen.

With reference to FIG. 3B, another embodiment of the invention isprovided that includes, at a step 340, providing a set of screens thatpresent options that a user can invoke to cause information to beprovided to the mobile communications device. Generally, one of the setof screens is displayed at any given time. It will be appreciated thatthe options presented may include any number of objects, items, buttons,and the like that allow a user to interact with various features,functions, applications, etc. These options may include objects,information, representations, items, and the like as described hereinand elsewhere within this disclosure as well as those that are notdescribed.

At a step 342, a persistently visible predetermined region capable ofreceiving touch input is presented across each of the screens such thatthe predetermined region is never unavailable when any one of thescreens is presented. At a step 344, touch input is received to thepredetermined region, and incident to receiving that touch input, at astep 346, a set of statuses of events is displayed on a display of amobile communications device.

With reference to FIG. 3C, another embodiment of the present inventionis provided that includes, at a step 350, presenting a persistentlyvisible predetermined region on a first screen of a mobilecommunications device. The persistently visible predetermined region iscapable of receiving touch input. A step 352 includes transitioning fromthe first screen to a second screen, wherein the predetermined region ispersistently visible from the second screen in the same manner as it wason the first screen. At a step 354, a single touch action is received byway of the predetermined region. In an embodiment, a single touch actionincludes only one contact such as a tap from a finger or stylus in thepredetermined region. It is important to note that the single touchaction does not include transitioning away from the second screen, andthat nothing about the display or functionality of the second screen isaffected incident to the single touch action received in step 354.

In a final illustrative step, step 356, a dynamically updateable list ispresented which includes at least one item that conveys a status of anevent. If an event experiences a change from a first state to a secondstate, the change is reflected in the list. It should be understood, inlight of the description above, that a change in status as describedherein may include any number of status changes related to an event suchas the receipt of a new event, an aging of a previous event by a certainduration, an updated event, an occurrence of a calendared event, and thelike.

Correcting Data Inputted into a Mobile Communications Device

An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention includes an abilityto input and correct data inputted into a mobile communications deviceusing a touchscreen. In one embodiment, a way to input data (e.g., text,character strings, etc.) is to provide a modal keypad on a touchscreendisplay of a mobile communications device that is capable of receivingtouch input. Character strings and other text inputted by way of themodal keyboard is checked against recognized character strings, and anoption for automatically correcting incorrectly inputted characterstrings is provided.

Turning to FIG. 4A, a mobile communications device 410 is shown. Asbefore, we use a separate reference numeral to help map the instant textto a relevant figure, but we do not mean to convey that mobile device410 is different than any of the other many references to a mobiledevice throughout this disclosure, including the block-diagramrepresentation of FIG. 1 and the mobile device shown in FIGS. 2A-2E.Mobile device 410 includes a display 412, which in one embodiment is atouchscreen display that is able to receive input by way of touchactions or interactions. Touchscreen display 412 may be adapted toreceive any number of types of touch actions such as single touches,taps, slides, or other gestures. Additionally, in various embodiments,touchscreen display 412 may be adapted to receive multiple simultaneoustouch actions that may generate a type of input distinct from inputgenerated by a single touch action. Further, touchscreen display 412 maybe adapted to receive touch input by way of contact with any number ofobjects such as, for example, a finger or a stylus.

Touchscreen display 412 includes a region 414 that contains variousicons, indicators, and the like. In one embodiment, the region 414 is apersistently visual predetermined region capable of receiving touchinput, as described above. In another embodiment, region 414 may beadapted to contain any number of icons or indicators of any kind. In afurther embodiment, touchscreen display 412 does not contain a region414.

Touchscreen display 412 is shown to display a modal keypad 416. As usedherein, a modal keypad includes a set of objects that are displayed on atouchscreen display 412 of a mobile communications device 410, whereeach of the set of objects represents a letter, number, punctuationmark, or other character or set of characters. The modal keypad 416 mayalso include other objects representing buttons that have otherfunctionality associated therewith such as, for example, a space bar, areturn key, and a caps-lock button, as shown in row 418 of FIG. 4A.Other such objects may include, for example, a “done” button, ascreen-toggle button (for toggling between different screens such as amodal keypad and a screen showing only character input), or akeypad-toggle button (such as a button for toggling between a keypadhaving letters to a keypad having numbers), as shown in row 420 of FIG.4A.

Each of the objects displayed as part of the modal keypad 416 arecapable of receiving touch input so that a user may interact with themin a conventional manner. In an embodiment, touch input to an objectrepresenting a character or characters causes that character orcharacters to appear as text on a viewing screen 422 provided on thetouchscreen display 412. Viewing screen 422 displays characters 424inputted by way of touch actions to the modal keypad 416 and may beoriented in any number of manners. Although viewing screen 422 is shown,in FIG. 4A, as oriented above the modal keypad 416, we do not intend tolimit embodiments to this orientation. Viewing screen 422 may beoriented above, below, within, to the side, or in any other manner withrespect to modal keypad 416. One such alternative orientation, forexample, is depicted in FIG. 4C, which shows a “landscape” orientedmodal keypad 416 and viewing screen 422.

With continued reference to FIG. 4A, modal keypad 416 may include anynumber of arrangements of objects therein, and although we onlyillustrate a few of the possible configurations herein, we do not intentto limit the arrangements that other embodiments of the presentinvention may employ. For example, in one embodiment, modal keypad 416may include all of the letters of an alphabet, listed in order in rows,as shown in FIG. 4A. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,that modal keypad 416 may be provided with objects representingcharacters of any language, including but not limited to, mathematic andscientific languages. Modal keypad 416 may, as indicated above, also bepresented in any number of arrangements such as the “landscape”arrangement shown in FIG. 4C.

Turning briefly to FIG. 4C, a mobile communications device 410 is shown.Touchscreen display 412 includes a modal keypad 440, oriented in a“landscape” fashion. That is, the characters displayed within the modalkeypad 440 are positioned such that they are upright when the phone isheld sideways, wherein the axis connecting the top and bottom of thedevice 410 is parallel with the ground. The “landscape” orientation isknown in the art, and we do not mean to vary the general impression thatthe use of that word gives to the reader. Modal keypad 440 is disposedjust below viewing screen 422. In an embodiment, a modal keypad may bearranged with alphabetical characters arranged in a typical “QWERTY”keyboard fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 4C. In other embodiments, someof which may include characters from languages other than English, thecharacters may be arranged in any number of other ways. We do not intendto limit the arrangement possibilities by the illustrations providedherein, but illustrate only a few of the possibilities.

Additionally, whether the modal keypad is oriented as in FIG. 4A, as inFIG. 4C, or in some other manner, the modal keypad may contain any typeof character that may be useful as character string input. For example,FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate modal keypads 416, 440 as displaying alphabeticalcharacters (i.e., letters), and various punctuation marks. Otherembodiments may include, as illustrated in rows 452 and 454 of FIG. 4D,characters such as numerals, various symbols, or even portions ofcharacter strings, as shown in FIG. 4D. In an embodiment such as theillustrative example of FIG. 4D, for example, a modal keypad 412 mayinclude commonly used character strings such as portions of e-mailaddresses (e.g., “MAIL.”, “.org”, “.com”, etc.) or uniform resourcelocators, or portions, (“WWW.”, “HTTP://”, “.com”, etc.), as shown inrows 456 and 458. It will be understood that any character strings orcharacter string portions may be included in a modal keypad 416. In someembodiments, modal keypad 416 may be adapted to allow a user to choosethe contents thereof, and may in other embodiments, allow the user todefine the contents or objects included.

Returning to FIG. 4A, a set of character strings 424 representing textis shown as being displayed in viewing window 422. The viewing window422 also includes a cursor 429 that indicates the position at which thenext inputted character will be displayed. In an embodiment, inputtedtext or data represented by characters may be checked for accuracy suchas, for example, by comparing the inputted character string torecognized character strings. Recognized character strings may becontained in any number of dictionary databases, such as, for example,database 114 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, inputted textor data takes the form of a user-entered character string. In oneembodiment, a user-entered character string may be checked for accuracyafter it has been inputted. In another embodiment, a user-enteredcharacter string may be continuously checked for accuracy while it isbeing entered.

For instance, in one embodiment, an application such as an input methodapplication or predictive text application may compare the characterstring to recognized character strings as the user enters the characterstring, and the interpretation thereof may continuously change in pacewith the user's entering of data, finally resting on a most likelyinterpretation when the user has completed entering data. For example,one such application that may be used or modified for this purpose isthe XT9 Smart Input predictive text solution, available from NuanceCommunications, Inc. of Burlington, Mass. In one embodiment, thecontinuous results of the accuracy may be displayed on the touchscreendisplay 412 as the user enters the character string. In anotherembodiment, the continuous results may not be displayed on thetouchscreen display 412, and only the final interpretation may bedisplayed. In yet another embodiment, none of the interpretations orcorrections may be displayed, where the exact characters that the userhas entered will be displayed. It will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the correction application may be configured in anyother manner, so long as it is configured to compare, in some way,user-entered character strings to recognized character strings.Recognized character strings may include correctly spelled words,commonly used words (although incorrectly spelled), or any other type ofword or character string that is included in the dictionary database. Insome embodiments, as described further below, one or more of therecognized character strings contained in a dictionary database may beentered into the database by a user or other individual, application,program, or functionality.

In any of the embodiments described above, when a user-entered characterstring is received, the device 412 may determine one or more suggestionsfor replacing the user-entered character string. In an embodiment,suggestions for replacing the user-entered character string may bedetermined only in the case where the user-entered character string isnot a recognized character string. In other embodiments, suggestions maybe provided regardless of whether the user-entered character string isrecognized. In still further embodiments, the determination ofsuggestions may be dependent upon any number of factors, which may beestablished by a programmer, an application, or even a user, forexample. Suggestions may include other character strings containingsimilar characters, character arrangements, and the like, and may befurther based upon other factors such as context, dialect, grammar, andthe like. Any number of suggestions may be determined. In oneembodiment, for example, one or two suggestions may be determined. Inanother embodiment, three or more suggestions may be determined. Invarious embodiments, the number of suggestions determined may also bebased upon various factors such as, for example, those described above.

In an embodiment of the present invention, after determining asuggestion for replacing a character string, the user-entered characterstring may be marked with a visual indication that a suggestion forreplacement thereof has been determined. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4A, such a visual indication may include underlining theuser-entered character string. In other embodiments, other types ofvisual indications may be used such as, for example, highlighting,bolding, or displaying the user-entered character string in a differentcolor. We do not intend to limit the possibilities that may be used formarking a character string with a visual indication as described herein,as any sort of visual indication may be sufficient to accomplish thegoals and objectives of the various embodiments of the presentinvention.

In another embodiment, an automatic-correction function is provided. Asshown in FIG. 4B, the automatic-correction function may operate in muchthe same way as above, but includes automatically replacing theuser-entered character string 426, 428 with a suggested character string430, 432. In some embodiments, the suggested character string 430, 432that replaces the user-entered character string may include the firstsuggested character string determined. In other embodiments, the varioussuggested character strings determined may be ranked according to thelikelihood that a user intended to enter any one of the varioussuggested character strings when the user actually entered theuser-entered character string, and the suggested character string 430,432 used to replace the user-entered character string may be thecharacter string with highest ranking. In other embodiments, thesuggested character string 430, 432 used to replace the user-enteredcharacter string may be determined by any number of other factors and isnot meant to be limited by our disclosure herein.

In an embodiment, the suggested character string 430, 432 that replacesthe user-entered character string may be marked with a visual indicationthat the suggested character string 430, 432 has replaced theuser-entered character string 426, 428. The visual indication may takeany form, as described above with respect to the user-entered characterstring. In an embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, thesuggested character string 430, 432 may be marked with a visualindication such as by underlining the suggested character string 430,432. As above, the suggested character string 430, 432 may also bemarked by bolding, highlighting, changing its color, and the like.

Additionally, in an embodiment, an input region 434 is provided that isassociated with the visual indication, whether the visual indicationcorresponds to a user-entered character string 426, or a suggestedcharacter string 430. The input region 434 is capable of receiving touchinput. Upon receiving touch input to the input region 434, which may bedefined by any amount of space surrounding and/or including thecharacter string having the visual indication, a set of alternativesuggestions for replacing the character string may be provided. In anembodiment of the present invention, cursor 429 may be unaffected byuser input to the input region 434. That is, even though a user mayinteract with the input region 434, the cursor 429 will remain in theposition in which it was before the user interacted with input region434, thus allowing for a user to perform editing and be able to rapidlyreturn to inputting data.

Turning now to FIG. 4E, a mobile communications device 410 is shown. Ona touchscreen display 412, a viewing screen 422 contains a set ofuser-entered character strings 468. One of the user-entered characterstrings 470 is shown and has been marked with a visual indication that asuggested character string has been determined in relation thereto. Uponreceiving user input to an input region 471, defined in association withthe marked user-entered character string 470, a set of alternativesuggested character strings 474, 476 is shown in a user interface 472.In an embodiment, user interface 472 may replace all or a portion of themodal keypad. In another embodiment, the user interface 472 may beprovided in addition to the modal keypad, such as by providing the userinterface within some region of the viewing screen 422.

It should be understood that, although we illustrate four alternativesuggested character strings, any number of alternative suggestedcharacter strings may be provided. For example, in an embodiment, one,two, or three alternative suggested character strings may be provided.In a further embodiment, five or more alternative character strings maybe provided.

In another embodiment, a button 484 capable of receiving touch input maybe provided for allowing a user to select an active or inactive statecorresponding to the automatic-correction function. In other words, auser, by interacting with a button 484, may be able to turn theautomatic-correction function on or off. It will be appreciated that theautomatic-correction function may also be toggled between the active andinactive states in any number of other ways. For example, in oneembodiment, the option for setting the auto-correction function to aparticular state may be provided in a menu such as, for example, asettings or options menu. In other embodiments, the option for selectingbetween active and inactive states for the automatic-correction functionmay be presented in a predetermined region of the touchscreen. In afurther embodiment, for example, the option may be available as a seriesof keystrokes or by a particular touch input anywhere or in a certainregion of the touchscreen display. It will be further appreciated bythose skilled in the art that any number of additional buttons, options,and the like may be provided for allowing a user to perform any numberof other functions by interacting therewith.

In an embodiment, each of the alternative suggested character strings474, 476 has at least one character in common with the user-enteredcharacter string. In other embodiments, the alternative suggestedcharacter strings 474, 476 include the user-entered character string474. In another embodiment, the set of alternative suggested characterstrings 474, 476 includes a suggested character string that is used toautomatically replace the user-entered character string, in which casethe character string 470 may actually have been replaced by a characterstring such as suggested character string 476. Each of the alternativesuggested character strings 474, 476 may also have an associated inputregion 475 capable of receiving touch input. In an embodiment, incidentto receiving touch input to an alternative suggested character string474, 476 by way of an associated touch region 475 the user-enteredcharacter string 470 is replaced by the alternative suggested characterstring with which the input region is associated.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4E, a user may have entered the characterstring “TYEPING” where the user actually meant to enter the word“TYPING.” Unless the user-entered character had been automaticallyreplaced by the word “TYPING,” the user may cause that replacement tooccur by causing touch input to the input region 475 associated with thealternative suggested character string 476 “TYPING.” However, it may bethe case that the user does not wish to replace the user-enteredcharacter string with a suggested character string. If theautomatic-correction function had previously caused the replacement tooccur, the user may undo the replacement by simply causing touch inputto the input region 475 associated with the user-entered characterstring “TEYPING.” In some cases, a user may wish to add a user-enteredcharacter string as a recognized character string in the dictionarydatabase of the device 410.

In an embodiment, the user interface presents a “learn” button 480 andan “unlearn” button 482, as shown in FIG. 4E. Each of the buttons 480,482 is receiving touch input. Upon receiving touch input to the “learn”button 480, a selected user-entered character string 470 may be added tothe dictionary database such that the user-entered character string 470becomes a recognized character string. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, as a recognized character string, the user-entered characterstring 470 may not be subject to correction and/or alternative suggestedcharacter strings being provided in the future. Additionally, thenow-recognized user-entered character string 470 may be used as analternative suggested character string in the future. Other embodimentsprovide for adding, or learning, a user-entered character stringautomatically such as by entering a user-entered character string intothe dictionary database after receiving input comprising that characterstring a plurality of times. It will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that various configurations are possible to accomplish this sameobjective, as well as that such an automatic learning function may beimplemented in addition to any number of the various features describedherein.

In an embodiment of the present invention, upon receiving touch input tothe “unlearn” button 482, a suggested character string may be removedfrom the dictionary database. For example, a user may spell a nameincorrectly several times, causing the incorrect spelling to beautomatically learned by device 410. The user may then, upon receivingthat spelling as a suggested character-string, interact with an“unlearn” button 482, causing the incorrect spelling to be removed fromthe dictionary database. This removal may be permanent or temporary, andit will be appreciated that such a function may be accompanied byfunctionality that accomplishes the reverse, such as an “undo”functionality. In various embodiments, the options described above(i.e., adding character strings to a database and removing characterstrings from a database), may be accomplished by means other thanpresenting a “learn” and “unlearn” button as illustrated. In variousembodiments, other types of objects may be presented on the screen for auser to interact with. In other embodiments, rules may be establishedsuch that one or both of the functionalities are invoked incident tosome sequence of events such as, for example, the repetitious use of aparticular character string. In still further embodiments, a user mayinteract directly with the character string as it is represented on thescreen in order to add to or remove from a dictionary database.

To recapitulate, we have described an aspect of the invention thatrelates to performing a method of inputting data into a mobilecommunications device having a touchscreen. With reference to FIG. 5A,one embodiment of this method includes, at a step 520, receiving auser-entered character string. As described above, a user-enteredcharacter string can include any string of any type of characters suchas, for example, a word, a number, a series of symbols, and the like.Additionally, a character-string, as used herein, may be expressed inany written language, as well as any mathematical or scientificlanguage. In some embodiments, the user-entered character string may bea misspelled word. In other embodiments, the user-entered characterstring may be a correctly spelled word. In still further embodiments,the user-entered character string may not be a word, but rather anumber, a URL, an e-mail address, etc. Additionally, in an embodiment,the user-entered character string is not recognized by the mobilecommunications device.

At a step 522, the user-entered character string is automaticallyreplaced with a suggested character string. In various embodiments, thesuggested character string is a correctly spelled word that has at leastone character in common with the user-entered character string. In otherembodiments, the suggested character string may be a correctly spelledword, and in some embodiments, the suggested character string may be anincorrectly spelled word. Generally, the suggested character string isone that is contained within a dictionary database associated with themobile communications device.

Continuing with FIG. 5A, at a step 524, the suggested character stringis marked with a visual indication that the suggested character stringreplaced the user-entered character string. In an embodiment, thesuggested character string is underlined. In other embodiments, thesuggested character string may be highlighted, bolded, or presented in adifferent color than other character strings. It should be appreciatedthat any suitable visual indication may be used to mark the suggestedcharacter string. As indicated at a step 526, the visual indication ismaintained even if the suggested character string is a correctly spelledword. At a step 528, an input region is provided in an area on thetouchscreen in which the suggested character string is displayed. Theinput region provided at step 528 is associated with the visualindication and is capable of receiving touch input. Thus, for example, auser may “tap” (i.e., cause touch input to) on a marked characterstring, such as a suggested character string that has been marked.

Accordingly, at step 530, touch input is received by way of the inputregion, and incident to receiving that touch input, as shown at step532, a set of alternative character strings is presented. The set ofalternative character strings includes suggestions for replacing thesuggested character string. It will be understood that as suggestedreplacements for the suggested character string, the alternativecharacter strings may also include alternative suggestions for replacingthe user-entered character string. In an embodiment, each of thealternative character strings has at least one character in common withthe user-entered character string. In another embodiment, each of thealternative character strings may have at least one character in commonwith the suggested character string. In further embodiments, the set ofalternative character strings may include either or both of theuser-entered character string and the suggested character string. Instill further embodiments, an input region is provided which correspondsto each of the alternative character strings, such that a user may beable to “tap” on one of the alternative character strings to cause somefunctionality such as, for example, to cause the selected alternativecharacter string to replace the suggested character string.

Turning to FIG. 5B, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated by a flow diagram showing a method for inputting data into amobile communications device having a touchscreen, including, at a step534, presenting an option to a user that permits the user to select anactive or inactive state associated with an automatic-correctionfunction. As indicated previously, this option may be presented to theuser in any number of ways such as, for example, presenting a button fortoggling the states between active or inactive. At a step 536, a userselection of either an active or an inactive state associated with theautomatic-correction function is received.

At a step 538, as shown in FIG. 5B, a user-entered character string isreceived. At a step 540, a dictionary database is referenced. Adictionary database generally includes recognized character strings, andreferencing such a database may include an operation such as queryingthe dictionary database with a particular search term such as, forexample, whether there is a character string or character strings withinthe dictionary database that have a certain number of characters incommon with a user-entered character string. A dictionary database mayactually include a plurality of databases. In an embodiment, adictionary database may include several different databases, eachcontaining a particular type of character string. For example, invarious embodiments, a first database may be provided for housingrecognized words, while another database may be provided for housingrecognized URLs or email addresses. It should be understood that adictionary database may be configured to contain any type of characterstring including numbers, formulas, abstract collections of symbols,portions of words, prefixes, suffixes, etc.

At a step 542, a suggested character string is automatically determined.In an embodiment, the suggested character string is a recognizedcharacter string from the dictionary database and is selected as asuggested replacement for the user-entered character string. Thedecision diamond 544 indicates an internal determination of whether theautomatic-correction is in an active or inactive state, the stategenerally being dependent upon the user selection of step 536. If theautomatic-correction function is in an active state, the illustrativemethod of FIG. 5B continues with a step 546 in which the user-enteredcharacter string is replaced with the suggested character string.

At a step 548, the suggested character string is marked with a visualindication that the suggested character string replaced the user-enteredcharacter string. As described above, this visual indication may takeany form suitable such as, for example, underlining, bolding, and thelike. Further, as illustrated at a step 550, that visual indication ismaintained until a touch input is received that corresponds to aninstruction to remove the visual indication. Such an instruction may bepresented in any manner, so long as it is prompted by some purposefultouch input to the device. In an embodiment, an input region capable ofreceiving touch input and that corresponds to the visual indication maybe provided. In one embodiment, incident to receiving touch input by wayof the input region, a set of alternative character strings may bepresented as suggestions for replacing the suggested (or theuser-entered) character string. Additionally, in another embodiment, anoption to select an inactive state associated with theautomatic-correction function may again be presented at any time.

With continued reference to FIG. 5B, if the automatic-correctionfunction is determined, at a step 544, to be in an inactive state, theuser-entered character string is marked with a visual indicationrepresenting the determination of a suggested character string, as shownat step 552. Where a user has selected an inactive state associated withthe automatic-correction function, user-entered character strings willbe preserved just as they were inputted by the user. In this manner, theuser may have an option to return to a given character string and editit, preserve it, or replace it with a suggested character string, etc.In an embodiment, the user-entered character string that is marked mayalso have associated therewith an input region similar to the inputregion described above, with reference to the suggested characterstring. Incident to interacting with the input region associated withand generally presented in the same area of the touchscreen as themarked user-entered character string, a set of alternative characterstrings may be presented as suggestions for replacing the user-enteredcharacter string.

With reference to FIG. 5C, another illustrative embodiment of a methodin accordance with the present invention is shown in a flow diagram. Theillustrative method of FIG. 5C includes, at a step 560, receiving auser-entered character string. At a step 562, a dictionary databasehaving a plurality of recognized character strings is referenced. In anembodiment, the dictionary database is referenced to determine whetherit contains any suggested character strings for replacing theuser-entered character string. At a step 564, the user-entered characterstring is automatically replaced with a suggested character string fromthe dictionary database.

As described above, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the suggestedcharacter string is marked, at a step 566, with a visual indication thatthe suggested character string replaced the user-entered characterstring. Additionally, as shown at step 566, the visual indication has aninput region provided therewith. In an embodiment, the input region iscapable of receiving touch input. Accordingly, at a step 568, touchinput is received by way of the input region. Incident to receiving thetouch input at the input region, at a step 570, an option is presentedfor removing the suggested character string from the dictionarydatabase. It will be understood that an option for adding theuser-entered character string (or any other character string) may bepresented as well. The option or options provided at step 570 may, in anembodiment, be selected by way of a user acting upon the option withsome sort of touch input.

At a step 572, a touch input representing a selection of the option toremove the suggested character string from the database dictionary isreceived. In another embodiment, an option to add the user-enteredcharacter string, or any other character string, to the dictionarydatabase may be received. In a further embodiment, an option to take noaction may be received, and in still a further embodiment, no option maybe received. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5C, however,incident to a selection of an option to remove the suggested characterstring from the database, at a step 574, the suggested character stringis removed from the database. As will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, this illustrative step may also include replacing the suggestedcharacter string (i.e., in the viewing screen) with the user-enteredcharacter string, or with some other character string. In various otherembodiments, as described above, any number of other options may bepresented in response to receiving touch input to the input region. Insome embodiments, interacting with actionable words does not changecursor position, thus allowing for rapid editing and continuing of acomposition.

List-Position Locator

As referenced above, another aspect of an embodiment of the inventionincludes the ability to arrive at a desired position in an ordered listof items on a display. The ordered list of items is stored in a mobilecommunications device. In one embodiment of the invention, a user mayselect, by way of a touch action, a selectable option, which causes apositional indicator to appear on the display. The positional indicatoris responsive to the movement of the selectable option, and indicates acorresponding position among the ordered list of items.

Referring to FIG. 6, a representation of a display 610 of a mobiledevice, such as mobile communications device 210, is provided. We use aseparate reference numeral to help map the instant text to a relevantfigure, but we do not mean to convey that display 610 is different thanany of the other many references to a display throughout thisdisclosure, including the block-diagram representation of FIG. 1.Display 610, in one embodiment, is a touchscreen display that is able toreceive input by way of touch actions or other interactions. Aspreviously mentioned, a touch action can be accomplished by receivingtouch input from a user's finger, but we do not mean to limit thecapability of a touchscreen display, such as display 610, to receivingtouch input from a user's finger. Display 610 may also be capable ofreceiving touch input as a result of contact with another object suchas, for example, a stylus, or a fingernail. In other embodiments, atouch action may be accomplished by way of any object coming intocontact with display 610.

In some embodiments, a touch action may be accomplished by using a touchsensitive surface that may not be located on the 4 display 610, but thatmay be located on the side of the mobile device in the form of a touchsensitive strip. In other embodiments, the mobile device may include anoptical sensor that is capable of detecting the motion of an object,such as a finger, fingernail, or stylus, through imaging. In addition,biometric finger print sensors may be used that detect motion of afingerprint across the optical detector.

Numerals 612 and 614 represent the width and length, respectively, ofthe display 610. When the mobile device is vertically oriented, so thatthe user may view the display 610 in a portrait view, as represented bydisplay 610 in FIG. 6, the length 614 may be greater than the width 612.The mobile device may also, in some instances, be horizontally orientedso that the user may view the display 610 in a landscape view. In theseinstances, the width of the display is now represented by numeral 614,and the length is 612. Here, the width 614 may be greater than thelength 612. In some embodiments, however, the width and length may beequal.

Display 610 has a user interface 616, which is illustrated as aplurality of icons and data. We have included a portion of an exemplaryuser interface 616 in FIG. 6 to provide an illustration of what a userinterface of display 610 may look like in some embodiments of thepresent invention. In these embodiments, user interface 616 is anordered list of items that are stored in the mobile device, such asmobile communications device 210 as shown in FIG. 2. The ordered list ofitems may include, but is not limited to, contacts, photographs, videos,music, sports teams, and the like. The remaining portion of the userinterface 616 is not shown in FIG. 6 in order to focus attention on theother elements of the present invention, such as the selectable option618 and positional indicator 620, as described herein.

As mentioned above, an embodiment of the invention includes the abilityto navigate through and reach a desired position among an ordered listof items. This may be achieved by moving a selectable option 618 in adirection allowed for by the mobile device. In embodiments, theselectable option 618 is capable of being moved by a touch action in afirst direction, such as along the length 614 of display 610. Here, theuser may move the selectable option 618 in this direction to navigatethrough an ordered list of items, as described above. In these and otherembodiments, selectable option 618 is also capable of being moved in asecond direction, such as along the width 612 of display 610. In theseembodiments, the user may have located the desired item within theordered listed of items, but there may be a subset list of itemsassociated with the item that the user is able to navigate through. Theuser may then move selectable option 618, for example by a touch action,along the width 612 of display 610 to navigate through the subset listof items.

It should be noted that the selectable option 618 may indicate theoverall list position in many embodiments. For example, if the orderedlist of items is alpha sorted, or in alphabetical order, there may notbe 26 evenly spaced regions (e.g., one evenly spaced region for eachletter of the alphabet) in relation to the movement of the selectableoption 618. In these embodiments, for instance, if the alpha sorted listincludes only items beginning with the letter A through D, theselectable option 618, because it indicates the current location withinthe overall list of items, may appear at or near the bottom of thedisplay 610 once the end of the list has been reached, even though theend of the list may be an item beginning with D, but not Z.

As described above, the selectable option 618 allows the user tonavigate through an ordered list of items to reach a desired positionamong this list. To give the user an indication of the relationshipbetween the position of the selectable option 618 and the currentlocation in the ordered list of items, we have provided a positionalindicator 620 that dynamically displays an indication of the currentlocation within the ordered list of items. Examples of an ordered listof items, as discussed above include, but are not limited to contacts,photographs, videos, music, sports teams, and the like, all of which maybe stored in the mobile device. Depending on how the items are arrangedwithin the ordered list of items, the items may be in alphabeticalorder, numerical order, or ordered by date, time, size, or any other waythat items may be arranged in a list.

As an example of the above, the ordered list of items is a list ofcontacts saved in the mobile device, and the contacts are orderedalphabetically by first name. Here, when the user selects the selectableoption 618 by some type of touch action as described above, thepositional indicator 620 is presented on the display 610. In oneembodiment, the positional indicator 620 is presented on the display 610incident to the user moving the selectable option 618 in any directionallowable by the mobile device. In another embodiment, the positionalindicator is presented on the display 610 at some set time after theselectable option 618 is moved by the user's touch action. In stillanother embodiment, the positional indicator 620 is presented on thedisplay 610 incident to the user's touch action, even before theselectable option has been moved. In various aspects of each embodimentdescribed, the positional indicator 620 may gradually appear on display610, so that the brightness of positional indicator 620 is displayedgradually. Positional indicator 620 may also gradually disappear in thissame fashion.

Positional indicator 620, as previously described, dynamically indicatesa corresponding position within the ordered list of items. Positionalindicators 620A, 620B, 620C, 620D, and 620E represent various examplesof the indication that may be provided to the user when moving theselectable option, as described above. As shown in FIG. 6, thepositional indicator 620 takes on a form consistent with the types ofitems included in the ordered list of items. In one embodiment, a lettermay be presented on the positional indicator, such as the letter “A” asshown on positional indicator 620A. In this embodiment, the list may bea list of contacts, sports teams, or any other list of items that can beordered alphabetically. We have shown positional indicator 620B with thenumber “1” on it. If the list of ordered items can be orderednumerically, such as a list of phone numbers or addresses, a numericalvalue may be presented on the positional indicator 620B in theseembodiments to provide the user with a corresponding position in theordered list of items in relation to the position of the selectableoption 618.

In another embodiment, the list may be a list of sports teams, such as alist of baseball teams, football teams, soccer teams, basketball teams,and the like. In this embodiment, the positional indicator, such aspositional indicator 620C may present the logo representing the teamwhere the selectable option is located. In one aspect of thisembodiment, each team may have one or more items associated with it,such as recent scores, schedules, statistics, and the like, so thatmoving the selectable option 618 until the desired team logo appears onthe positional indicator 620C provides the user with an efficient way tolocate this information.

In some instances, the ordered list of items may include pictures,videos, or other items that can be ordered by size. In accordance withthis embodiment, we have shown positional indicator 620D with “20 MB”presented on it, representing the file size of one or more items in theordered list corresponding to the current position of selectable option618. This may give the user an easy and efficient way to locate acertain item, such as a picture or video, if the file size is known orcan be approximated. Moving to positional indicator 620E, we show anembodiment that presents “1/1/2000,” representative of a date that mayappear on a positional indicator if the ordered list of items may beordered by date. Such lists may include events (e.g., calendar-relateditems), pictures, videos, and the like. As mentioned above, thepositional indicator may take on a form consistent with the items in theordered list, and as such, other indication information may be presentedon the positional indicator other than what has been described above. Asshown by numeral 621, these are contemplated to be within the scope ofthe present invention.

As we previously discussed, the width 612 and length 614 of the displayare shown in FIG. 6. The display 610 is shown in a portrait view,wherein the positional indicator has a width 624 and length 622. In thisview, the width of the positional indicator 624, in many embodiments, isgreater than a majority of the display width 612. When the phone isturned in a landscape view (e.g., rotated 90 degrees from the portraitview), however, numeral 612 represents the length of the display, andnumeral 624 represents the length of the positional indicator. Here, thelength of the positional indicator 624 may, in some embodiments, begreater than a majority of the width of the display 612.

Now referring to FIG. 7, we have provided an embodiment illustrating theability of the positional indicator to display different informationaccording to the corresponding position of the selectable option inrelation to the location among the ordered list of items. Display 710has a selectable option 712 and a positional indicator 714. In thisaspect of the embodiment of FIG. 7, the ordered list of items mayinclude contacts, sports teams, e-mail addresses, or any other list thatmay be ordered alphabetically. Selectable option 712 is located near thetop of the device, and therefore corresponds to a position within theordered list of items at the top or near the top of the list. If thelist includes contacts saved to the mobile device, such as mobilecommunications device 210 in FIG. 2, the list may begin with one or morenames that start with the letter “A,” as is shown on positionalindicator 714. The user may then select selectable option 712 by way ofa touch action, which results from contact to display 710 with an objectsuch as, for example, a finger, a stylus, or a fingernail.

Display 720 illustrates a second position of the selectable option 722as a result of the user selecting and moving it in a first direction,for example, in a downward direction along the length of display 720, asshown. Moving selectable option 722 to a second position has causedpositional indicator 724 to display a different letter corresponding tothe new position of selectable option 722 in relation to the locationamong the ordered list of items. For instance, as the letter “G” isshown on positional indicator 724, one or more items within the orderedlist may start with the letter “G.” In this instance, if there are noitems that start with the letter “G,” “G” would not be presented on thepositional indicator, and would skip to the next letter that isassociated with the next item in the ordered list. In another instance,however, even if there are no items starting with “G,” the letter “G”may still appear on the positional indicator.

In continued reference to FIG. 7, display 730 illustrates a thirdinstance of the embodiment of FIG. 7, wherein selectable option 732 hasbeen moved to a third position so that the letter presented onpositional indicator 734 represents the item located among the orderedlist of items corresponding to the position of selectable option 732 inthis third position. Similarly, display 740 illustrates selectableoption 742 in a fourth position, and the letter “S” on positionalindicator 744 represents the corresponding item within the ordered listof items.

We have included display 750 to illustrate an instance where theselectable option 752 has been moved to the bottom or near the bottom ofdisplay 750, wherein its location corresponds to the last or one of thelast items within the ordered list. Here, the letter “Z” is presented onpositional indicator 754, indicating to the user that the end or nearthe end of the ordered list has been reached. The embodiment describedabove easily and efficiently allows a user to reach a desired itemwithin an ordered list of items.

In the embodiments described above with respect to moving the selectableoption, presenting the positional indicator, and reaching a desiredlocation within an ordered list of items, it should be noted that whilethe ordered list of items may be visible on the display while thepositional indicator is presented to the user, the ordered list of itemsmay not change its position as the selectable option is moved on thedisplay. In order to save processing power, the positional indicatordynamically displays the current position within the ordered list ofitems, but the ordered list of items remains in a constant position orstate until the user reverses the touch action, for example, by removingthe object (e.g., finger, fingernail, stylus) from the selectableoption.

To recapitulate, we have described an aspect of the invention thatrelates to performing a method of reaching a position in an ordered listof items on a display. With reference to FIG. 8A, one embodiment of thismethod includes, at a step 810A, presenting a selectable option on themobile device's display that can be selected by touch actions. Thesetouch actions might take the form of, for example, a user's finger,finger nail, or a stylus. At a step 812A, incident to receiving anindication that the selectable option has been selected, as describedabove, a positional indicator is presented on the display. Thepositional indicator indicates to the user its current position withinthe ordered list of items. For example, if the ordered list of itemsconsists of names of soccer teams that are ordered alphabetically, thepositional indicator may display a letter, as shown in FIG. 7,representing items in the ordered list located correspondingly to theposition of the selectable option. At a step 814A, incident to the usermoving the selectable option in a first dimension, the positionalindicator indicates a position among the ordered list of items.

The user may, at any time, reverse the touch action by, for example,removing the object used to select the selectable option. For example,if the user used his or her finger to provide the touch action, the usermay lift the finger from the display to reverse the touch action.Reversing the touch action causes an item in the ordered list to bepresented on the display. In some embodiments, the item presented on thedisplay is the first item in the ordered list that starts with theletter presented on the positional indicator when the touch action isreversed. For example, if the positional indicator displays an “M” atthe time that the touch action is reversed, the first item starting with“M” may be the first item listed on the display.

In some embodiments of FIG. 8A, the length or width of the positionalindicator is greater than a majority of a length or width of thedisplay. We have illustrated this in FIG. 6, which illustrates that thepositional indictor width 624 is greater than a majority of the displaywidth 612 when the phone is positioned in a portrait view, as shown.Should the mobile device be turned on its side (e.g., landscape view),the positional indicator length, represented now by numeral 624, may begreater than a majority of the display length, now represented bynumeral 612.

We previously mentioned that while the selectable option is being movedby the user, which causes the display of the positional indicator, theordered list of items in the background may still be viewable. Theordered list, however, may become dimmed to focus the user's attentionon the positional indicator, rather than on the ordered list. In anembodiment, the ordered list is gradually dimmed when the positionalindicator is presented on the display, and may gradually revert to itsoriginal brightness once the touch action is reversed, as describedabove. In addition, in some embodiments, the presentation of thepositional indicator may also be gradual, so that the positionalindicator is first dimmed, and gradually becomes brighter on thedisplay. The same would occur when the touch action is reversed, whereinthe positional indicator may gradually disappear from the display.

With reference to FIG. 8B, another embodiment of the invention isprovided that includes presenting a selectable option on a touchscreenof a mobile device at a step 810B. The user may interact with theselectable option by way of the touchscreen, and in the same ways asdescribed above, a touch action by the user allows the selectable optionto be selected. At a step 812B, as the selectable option is moved in afirst direction, a positional indicator is presented on the display thatindicates to the user a corresponding position among the ordered list.The positional indicator's size is represented by a length and a width,such as a positional-indicator length and positional-indicator width.The display's size is also represented by a length and a width, termed adisplay length and a display width. As previously mentioned, the size ofthe positional indicator, in some embodiments, is such that either itslength consumes a majority of the display length, or its width consumesa majority of the display width. This is represented by numerals 814Band 816B.

We have also mentioned that the user, upon locating an item using theselectable option and the positional indicator, may wish to locate anitem in a subset list of items for the located item. One or more of theitems in the ordered list may have an associated subset list of items,so that the positional indicator may be moved in a different direction,such as a second direction, to allow the user to navigate through thesubset list of items and reach a desired location within this list aswell. As with reversing the touch action described above, a user maycause an item within the subset list to be presented on the display byreversing the touch action (e.g., releasing the finger used to move theselectable option), wherein the item is categorized in the subset listat a position consistent with the positional indicator.

Event Disposition Control For Mobile Communications Device

Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention includes an ability torespond to various events by way of a mobile communications device. Inone embodiment, a way to respond to a given event (such as receiving acall, receiving a voicemail, etc.) is to provide an informationalelement, which can take the form of a graphical user interface (GUI)object, that presents information related to the event and is also aslideable object that can be moved by a user into a drop zone to giverise to a desired action.

Turning now to FIG. 9A, another representation of a mobilecommunications device is provided and referenced generally by thenumeral 910. We use a separate reference numeral to help map the instanttext to a relevant figure, but we do not mean to convey that mobiledevice 910 is different than any of the other many references to amobile device throughout this disclosure, including the block-diagramrepresentation of FIG. 1. Mobile device 910 includes a display 912,which in one embodiment is a touchscreen display that is able to receiveinput by way of touch actions or interactions.

Blown up for detail, a user interface 914 is shown as being presentableon display 912. Various types of events may give rise to seeking userinput. Illustrative events include things such as receiving a phonecall; receiving a message (e.g., a voicemail, an email, a text message,and the like); initiating an alarm; receiving a file (e.g., a picture,an audio file, a video file, and the like); or an arriving at a timeassociated with a calendared event. For example, ten o'clock on a Mondaymorning may arrive, which triggers a reminder to be presented.

In one embodiment, an informational element 916 is presented on display912. Informational element 916 serves as an event summary that includesdescriptive information that is contextually related to the event. Thus,for example, when mobile device 910 receives an incoming call,informational element 916 might present caller-identifying informationthat helps a user to determine an identification of the incoming caller.In the case of an alarm, informational element 916 might present textualdata that describes the event associated with the alarm. We willdescribe this aspect in greater detail below. In some embodiments, ourtechnology of utilizing sliding and drop zones helps preventunintentional actions, such as accidentally unlocking the mobile device.

As mentioned, incident to an occurrence of some event, informationalelement 916 is presented on display 912. This affords the option to auser to move informational element 916 to one of at least two dropzones, including a first drop zone 918 and a second drop zone 920.Upward movement is indicated by dotted arrow 922, and downward movementis indicated by dotted arrow 924. Informational element 916 bothpresents information describing or related to the event that gave riseto its presentation and is also slideable by way of touch actions intoeither of the first or second drop zones 918, 920.

Although we say “into” the drop zones, we do not mean to imply thatinformational element 916 needs to be moved to wholly within a dropzone. This is not the case. In fact, in some embodiments, mobile device910 tracks an amount of movement away from an initial starting position.If informational element 916 is moved beyond a threshold distance awayfrom the initial starting position in a certain direction, then it willbe deemed to have been dropped in one of the two drop zones. Similarly,if information element 916 is moved beyond a threshold distance towardanother drop zone, then it will be deemed to have been released into theother drop zone. In still other embodiments, informational element 916will be deemed to have been dropped into one of the drop zones if it ismoved within a certain proximity of that drop zone. Thus, it might bethe case that if an upper portion of informational element 916 crossessome threshold area associated with first drop zone 918, then it will beconsidered to have been moved to the first drop zone. Same with thesecond drop zone.

In some embodiments, a user may use his or her finger or a stylus orsome other object to indicate a desire to move informational element916. One way that motion of informational element 916 might be trackedis for mobile device 910 to map a general pressure point to a specificpoint or line. This specific point or line can then be used to track howfar informational element 916 is moved along display 912.

Each of the drop zones 918 and 920 are associated with certain actions.That is, if informational element 916 is moved to first drop zone 918then a first action occurs, and if informational element 916 is draggedto second drop zone 920, then a second action occurs. In one embodiment,if informational element 916 is not dragged to either first drop zone918 or to second drop zone 920, then a default action is allowed tooccur. This default action is different than either the first or secondactions. Being different, though, does not necessarily contemplate anentirely different action, but also includes a temporal differentiation.For example, if a user of device 910 receives an incoming call, thedevice might ring for a certain period of time, after which thenotification will stop. But this only occurs after a certain amount oftime; for example, six rings or 25 seconds (random examples). It may bethe case that the second action, associated with second drop zone 920 isto dismiss a call which, in effect, stops the incoming-callnotification. Although it may be true that in both situations theincoming-call notifications were stopped, the second action is stilldifferent than the default action because the default action would haveallowed the call-notification operations to continue for a certainamount of time, but the second action (which is associated with seconddrop zone 920) stopped the call-notification operations immediately.

Turning now to FIG. 9B, additional detail is provided to help describethe notion of a certain action happening incident to movinginformational element 916 to a certain drop zone. Like referencenumerals correspond to like objects, but we will add a “B” designator tohelp refer to specific items in specific Figures. Thus in FIG. 9B, userinterface 914B depicts an informational element 916B, and a first dropzone 918B. In one embodiment, first drop zone 918B consumes an upperportion of the display. Although not necessarily shown on user interface914B, first drop zone 918B might begin at a reference line, which isdenoted by numeral 930. Again, a user may not see line 930. In otherembodiments, first drop zone 918B might be clearly presented on userinterface 914B for the user to see so that the user will know of aboundary that defines first drop zone 918B. As shown, descriptiveinformation 932 is included as part of informational element 916B. Thisinformation may include one or both of a graphic 934 as well as textualinformation 936. Other types of descriptive information could also beprovided in informational element 916B. We show two for illustrativepurposes.

As mentioned, descriptive information 932 is related to the incomingevent that gave rise to the presentation of informational element 916.For example, if the relevant event were an incoming call, then graphic934 might present a picture of the incoming caller. Textual information936 might present identifying indicia that identifies the incomingcaller. If the incoming event were an alarm, then graphic 934 might takethe form of a stagnant bell or some other indicator that a user mightreadily associate with an alarm. Graphic 934 can also be customized by auser so that the user can determine what gets presented incident to anoccurrence of some event.

The type of descriptive information that gets presented varies with thenature of the instant event. We show some illustrative events in FIG.9B; for example answer a call is designated by reference numeral 935.Reference numeral 937 references opening “X,” which symbolizes anythingthat might be opened; for example, an email message, a picture, a textmessage, etc. Numeral 938 indicates snoozing an alarm. Reference numeral940 represents a user-customized option. Thus, in one embodiment, thefirst drop zone 918B becomes associated with a user-defined option suchthat when informational element 916B is moved to first drop zone 918B,an action that has been selected by a user is performed. Clearly, otheractions can also be performed besides those that are illustrativelyshown. We indicate this by ellipses 942.

As we have discussed so far, an incoming event might give right to apresentation of informational element 916B. In such a situation, a userhas an option of moving informational element 916B to one of at leasttwo drop zones, which will trigger a certain action to be performed. Wehave shown some illustrative actions such as answering a call, openingattachments, or snoozing an alarm. If a user desires to carry out whatmight be opposites of the types of actions listed in FIG. 9B, then theinformational element can be moved to the second drop zone.

Turning to FIG. 9C, user interface 914C is shown as including seconddrop zone 920C, which might receive informational element 916C. Ifinformational element 916C is moved to second drop zone 920C, then adifferent set of actions might occur than those that occurred as wementioned in connection with FIG. 9B. For example, rather than answeringa call, a second action might be to send that call to voicemail,referenced by numeral 941. Rather than opening an attachment or amessage, etc., the same might be dismissed, which is indicated byreference numeral 943. Rather than responding to an alarm or snoozing analarm, dragging informational element 916C to second drop zone 920Cmight turn off an alarm, which is referenced by numeral 944. A user cancustomize a desired option, which includes providing a new option, thatshould be carried out when informational element 916C is moved to seconddrop zone 914C. This is referenced by numeral 946. Of course otheractions might be performed in connection with dragging informationalelement 916C to second drop zone 914C, which is represented by ellipses948.

One way that this aspect of the invention is helpful is that a slidingmotion is hard to accidentally cause, especially sliding to a specificarea. Thus, if mobile device 910 is in a user's pocket or handbag and acertain event occurs, then by utilizing embodiments of the presentinvention, unintended actions can be avoided. That is, a user isunlikely to accidentally complete a sequence necessary to give rise toan action, especially when that sequence includes initially tapping in acertain portion of display 912 so as to activate or direct a focus toinformational element 916, and then to also drag informational element916 to one of the two drop zones 918 or 920.

In some embodiments, more than two drop zones can be provided. Forexample, and with reference to FIG. 9D, we illustratively show four dropzones: first drop zone 950, second drop zone 952, third drop zone 954,and fourth drop zone 956. In this embodiment, event summary 958 can bemoved to any of four drop zones to initiate one of four possibleactions. In this way, more alternatives can be provided to a user torespond to an incoming event. For example, consider a situation when aperson receives a picture mail, or an email with a picture attachment.Perhaps first drop zone 950 opens the textual portion of the emailmessage. Whereas dragging the picture mail to third drop zone 954 mayopen only the picture portion of the message. Dragging the event summaryassociated with the picture mail to second drop zone 952 might beassociated with a dismissal action to dismiss any sort of a notificationassociated with the arrival of the picture mail message. And fourth dropzone 956 might be associated with moving the picture mail message to auser-defined folder so that a user can easily locate the message in thefuture.

FIG. 10 depicts a representation of a product known as the iPhoneoffered by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. One feature included in theiPhone is the ability to slide a control to answer an incoming call.Thus, with reference to FIG. 10, a phone 1010 includes a slideableelement 1012, which is designated by shading. The slideable elementincludes an edge 1014. Often, an outline is provided, which includes anedge 1016. Embodiments of our invention are different than this sort oftechnology, which has no secondary action, uses a very small portion ofthe screen, utilizes only a single direction, does not encompass theconcept of a drop zone, has no dismiss action, and a variety of otherdifferences. In the prior-art example, slideable control 1012 must bedragged completely to the right to answer an incoming call. That is,edge 1014 must come in contact with edge 1016. Accordingly, the conceptof a drop zone is not employed. Moreover, slideable element 1012 is justthat, merely an element that does not provide any descriptiveinformation. That is, the thing that is moved is static in the respectthat whenever a phone call comes in, it is merely presented, but doesnot include any sort of descriptive information that is associated withthe event that gave rise to its presentation. That is, there is nothingcontextually relevant that describes the event that gave rise to itspresentation. A user would not be able to achieve a desired action byusing the prior art without looking at the device. But according toembodiments of our invention, a user could easily approximate a halfwayportion of a screen and easily drag our informational element into oneof the two drop zones without even looking at the device. We will alsodescribe below ways to vary a vibrational response of the mobile deviceconsistent with a dragging of the informational element. Still furtherdifferences include the fact that only a single action can be performed.But according to embodiments of our invention, multiple actions can beperformed including what we refer to as both a positive action as wellas a negative action, which are to the exclusion of a default action.Thus, when an incoming call is received on our described device, it caneither be answered or affirmatively sent to voicemail or some otheraction taken. The prior art offers no secondary action, especially inwhich the secondary action is not some default action.

To recapitulate, we have described an aspect of the invention thatrelates to performing a method of responding to an event by way of amobile communications device. With reference to FIG. 11A, one embodimentof this method includes, at a step 1110, incident to an occurrence of anevent, presenting an informational element on the mobile device'sdisplay that can be manipulated by touch actions. These touch actionsmight take the form of a user's finger touch actions or also mightinclude a user using a stylus. At a step 1112, descriptive informationis presented in the informational element that is contextually relatedto the event. Thus, descriptive information can include things such as acaller's phone number, a picture associated with a caller, or a filename of a file. At a step 1114, at least two drop zones are providedthat each consume an area of the display. The first drop zone isassociated with the first action, and the second drop zone is associatedwith a second action. In one embodiment, the first drop zone is in anupper portion of the display, and a second drop zone is in a lowerportion of the display, or vice versa. We explained that the firstaction is not always the same. That is, the action associated with thefirst drop zone varies according to the nature of the event that gaverise to the presentation of informational element 916 to begin with. Insome cases moving informational element 916 to first drop zone 918causes a first action to occur, but, depending on the nature of theevent, dragging informational element 916 to the exact same drop zonecauses a different action or set of actions to occur. Thus, the firstaction differs according to the event that gave rise to the presentationof informational element 916. In some embodiments, first drop zone 918is associated with a positive-type action, whereas second drop zone 920is associated with a negative-type action.

Decision diamond 1116 indicates different actions that might occur asthe informational element 916 is moved in various ways. As mentioned, ifthe informational element is moved to the first drop zone then mobiledevice 910 will do the first action, as indicated by numeral 1118. Ifthe informational element is moved to the second drop zone, then mobiledevice 910 will do the second action, as indicated by numeral 1120. Ifthe informational element is not dragged to either drop zones, then adefault action will be allowed to occur, which is referenced by numeral1122. We have mentioned that this default action is different at leastin some respects than either of the first or second actions, including adifference that may be defined in a temporal aspect.

Illustrative positive actions include answering an incoming call,observing an incoming message, viewing an incoming file, viewing anincoming media attachment, opening a calendar-related item, and thelike. Illustrative negative-type actions include dismissing an incomingcall, sending an incoming call to voicemail, dismissing an incomingmessage, dismissing an incoming call, silencing an alarm, or the like.What some people refer to as positive actions, other people may refer toas negative actions.

With reference to FIG. 11B, another embodiment of the invention isprovided that includes receiving an indication of an occurrence of anevent at a step 1150. At a step 1152, the embodiment of this methodcontinues by presenting an informational element on the device. We havediscussed possible natures of the informational element and how itincludes information that is contextually relevant to the nature of theevent that gave rise to the presentation of the informational element.

A final illustrative step 1154 includes receiving user input thatdisposes the informational element to one of at least two drop zonesthat are defined by respective portions of the device's display and thatare respectively associated with certain actions such that moving theinformational element to one of the at least two drop zones invokes acertain response that is consistent with the corresponding drop zone. Wehave also mentioned how the response can vary based on either the natureof the event or based on how the user has customized what actions shouldflow incident to the informational element being moved to a respectivedrop zone.

Physical Feedback to Indicate Object Directional Slide

As previously alluded to, another aspect of the invention includes anability to enhance vibrational feedback so that it can provideinformation on tasks that are being performed. An illustrative task is adrag task. In this aspect of the invention, directional slide can beindicated by vibrational response.

Consider FIG. 12. As we previously discussed, an object 1212 can bepresented on device 1210 incident to an occurrence of some event. Wepreviously described how this object can be dragged into one of at leasttwo drop zones 1214 and 1216 to cause one of at least two desiredactions to occur. We explained that dragging object 1212 into first dropzone 1214 could cause a first action to occur that is associated withfirst drop zone 1214, and we also described how dragging object 1212 tosecond drop zone 1216 could be used to instantiate a different actionthat is associated with second drop zone 1216.

There may be some cases where it is desirable for a user to be able todetermine a direction that object 1212 is being moved without looking atthe display of mobile device 1210. Moreover, there may be cases where auser has limited visual acuity, or may even be blind, such that viewingthe display of mobile device 1210 is not even possible. Rather thanmaking such a device as mobile communications device 1210 unavailable tosuch users, we provide a way to indicate directional movement byproviding vibrational feedback.

For example, in one embodiment, as object 1212 is moved upward 1218, anintensity of a vibrational response increases. Similarly, as object 1212is moved in a downward direction 1220, an intensity of a vibrationalresponse of device 1210 decreases. As previously alluded to, “intensity”can include magnitude and/or frequency.

As previously mentioned, this object 1212 can include descriptiveinformation that describes attributes of the event that gave rise to itspresentation.

The vibrational response that is provided incident to moving object 1212is dynamic in nature and occurs in real time. That is, it is dynamic innature in that it can continuously vary as the location of object 1212varies. It is continuous in that whatever response is being providedcontinues to be provided until a desired outcome is reached. Thus,rhythmic or pulsing responses are contemplated within the scope of“continuous.”

In some embodiments, the vibrational response continues until a desiredtask is completed. For example, to complete a task might be to dropobject 1212 into one of the two drop zones 1214 or 1216. In someembodiments, the intensity of the vibrational response continues alongsome pattern as object 1212 is moved along a first direction. In someembodiments, the vibrational response changes drastically once 1212 ismoved to drop zone 1214. In some embodiments, changing drastically meansto cease a vibrational response. In other embodiments, changingdrastically means providing a vibrational response that is inconsistentwith the pattern that had been followed as object 1212 was being movedalong a first direction.

As mentioned, moving object 1212 in an upwardly direction might cause anincrease in intensity of vibrational response. An increase in intensitycan include an increase in magnitude and/or an increase in frequency. Anincrease in magnitude would mean that a small vibrational response wouldturn into a larger vibrational response. For example, a gentle pingmight turn into a more robust thud. Another way that intensity can beincreased is by increasing frequency. Mobile device 1210 might buzz morethe more object 1212 is moved in an upward direction. The frequency bywhich vibrations are measured can increase as object 1212 is moved in afirst direction.

Everything we say can be applicable to movement in the second directionbut with an opposite effect. That is, moving object 1212 in a downwarddirection 1220 might cause a decrease in intensity of a vibrationalresponse. That is, a frequency decrease might occur, or a magnitudedecrease might occur.

Turning now to FIG. 12A, a curve 1230 is depicted as part of a diagramthat plots an illustrative vibrational intensity 1232 based on adisplacement 1234 of a GUI object from some starting position 1236. Inone embodiment, rightward flow 1238 would translate to displacing anobject in a first direction, whereas leftward flow 1240 would indicatemovement in a second direction.

Reference numeral 1242 marks an illustrative starting location. Thus,say an incoming call was received by mobile device 1210. In thisexample, object 1212 would be presented, and mobile device 1210 wouldvibrate with an intensity consistent with a level denoted by referencenumeral 1242. As object 1212 is moved toward first drop zone 1214, thevibrational intensity might increase consistent with the upper portion1244 of curve 1230. As object 1212 is moved in a different direction,vibrational intensity might decrease consistent with a lower portion1246 of curve 1230.

In one embodiment, curve 1230 is monotonically increasing. That is, eachinstance of intensity is greater than the previous when moving in arightward direction. It may be the case that curve 1230 is monotonicallyincreasing only over a certain range of values. For example, perhapscurve 1230 is only monotonically increasing from the area marked by afirst dashed line 1248 as well as a second dashed line 1250. It may bethe case that beyond this range, curve 1230, although not shown in thisway, may take on a drastically different pattern than in the past. Forexample, for displacements beyond marker 1250, perhaps the vibrationalintensity drops markedly off, which would translate to a steep declinein curve 1230 after marker 1250. It might also be the case that thevibrational intensity markedly increases after marker 1250.

One way that such marked changes might be used can be seen in connectionwith FIG. 12B, which depicts another curve, which is referenced bynumeral 1254. On FIG. 12B, we illustrate two drop zones, such as a firstdrop zone 1256 and a second drop zone 1258. As we have previouslymentioned, it may be the case that a vibrational intensity makes amarked change after a certain displacement from a starting position. Onepossible point to mark such a change in vibrational intensity isreferenced by numeral 1260. As shown, a vibrational intensity of mobiledevice 1210 might progressively increase along an upper portion 1262 ofcurve 1254 until point 1260 is reached, at which a vibrational intensitymight change in a way that is different than it had been changing asobject 1212 was being moved in a first direction. Again, although notnecessarily reflected in diagram 12B, it may be the case that afterobject 1212 is moved beyond point 1260, and into drop zone 1256, curve1254 follows a path such as that referenced by numeral 1264 or thatmarked by numeral 1266. One reason for doing this is to allow a user tobe able to perceive that object 1212 has been moved to a specific dropzone.

Similarly, moving object 1212 along a lower portion 1268 of curve 1254might continue along a certain pattern until a point 1270 is reached,after which it may make a marked change, which is intended to be shownby reference numerals 1272 as well as numeral 1274.

The general shape of curve 1254 does not need to follow the shape thatis shown in FIG. 12A or 12B. Rather, as is desired, curve 1254 may takeon a variety of shapes. With reference to FIGS. 12C through 12D, weindicate that vibrational intensity may increase in a manner consistentwith curve 1280 of FIG. 12C. Curve 1282 of FIG. 12D is another possiblepattern. Vibrational intensity may also follow the curve of 1284 of FIG.12E as object 1212 is displaced in different directions. Still anotherillustrative curve is indicated by reference numeral 1286 of FIG. 12C.We do not mean for reference numerals 1280-1286 to be all inclusive; butrather, they are intended to illustrate that various patterns areapplicable to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13A depicts a flow chart that illustrates an illustrative methodfor enabling a user to control a mobile communications device thatincludes a vibration component. At a step 1310, an object is presentedon a touchscreen display of a mobile communications device that includesa vibration component. An illustrative vibration component can be thevibration component 124 referenced in FIG. 1. In some embodiments,vibration component 124 takes the form of a motor with an offset weightsuch that rotating the offset weight causes the motor, or a thingcoupled to the motor, to vibrate. In some embodiments, vibrationcomponent 124 takes the form of a haptics motor. Real-time control isused to support directionality.

At a step 1312, the object is made moveable on the touchscreen such thatit can be moved by way of a touch interaction. Thus, for example, a usercan use his or her thumb to move object 1212. As the user moves object1212 in different directions, different vibrational responses areprovided dynamically and in real time so that a user can perceive adirection that object 1212 is being moved by perceiving the vibrationalresponse. Thus, at a step 1314, in real time, an intensity of an outputof the vibration component is continuously varied to cause a vibrationalresponse of the mobile communications device such that movement of theobject in a first direction causes a first continuous vibrationaloutput, and movement of the object in a second direction causes a secondcontinuous vibrational output. We have mentioned that in one embodiment,the intensity can monotonically increase as object 1212 is progressivelymore displaced along a first direction such that every advancement ofthe object in the first direction produces a vibrational output that isgreater than when the object was in any proceeding position. In someembodiments, this occurs up until a certain threshold, after which thevibrational intensity changes in an inconsistent way so as to denotethat an object such as object 1212 has moved into a certain area ofinterest such as a drop zone. Of course embodiments of the presentinvention do not need to rely on dual drop zones as we have shown.Rather, the scope of this aspect of the invention is widely applicableto any graphical user interface object that is to be moved in somedirection. Directionality of that object can be made to correspond to avibrational intensity such that directionality of the object can beperceived by perceiving the intensity of the corresponding vibrationaloutput. In some embodiments, processor 116 is configured to helpcoordinate the vibrational response to a movement of an object such asobject 1212 so that movement of the object can be deciphered without (orwith) physically viewing display 118. This vibrational response wouldnot be a mere playback of a prerecorded action; but rather, adynamically created vibrational response that is created based on amovement of the object. Thus, more than just playing back a responseincident to an occurrence of some event, embodiments of the inventionprovide for a real-time creation of a vibrational response that occursbased on real-time events. In some embodiments, vibrational outputsfollow respectively consistent patterns; namely, for some ranges theyprogressively increase or progressively decrease.

Turning now to FIG. 13B, another embodiment of the present invention isprovided. At a step 1320, an indication of an occurrence of an event isreceived. At a step 1322, an object is presented on a touchscreen of themobile device. The object can be manipulated via touch action to respondto the event.

At a step 1324, in real time, an intensity of a vibrational response isvaried consistent with a movement of the object such that the movementof the object in a first direction results in a first vibrationaloutput, and movement of the object in a second direction results in asecond vibrational output.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present inventionhave been described with the intent to be illustrative rather thanrestrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisanmay develop alternative means of implementing the aforementionedimprovements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Notall steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in thespecific order described.

1. One or more computer-readable media having computer-useableinstructions embodied thereon for performing a method of enabling a userto control a mobile communications device that includes a vibrationcomponent, the method comprising: presenting an object on a touchscreendisplay of the mobile communications device; enabling the object to bemoveable on the touchscreen by way of a touch interaction; and in realtime, continuously varying an intensity of an output of the vibrationcomponent to cause a vibrational response of the mobile communicationsdevice, such that movement of the object in a first direction causes afirst continuous vibrational output, and movement of the object in asecond direction causes a second continuous vibrational output.
 2. Themedia of claim 1, wherein the object is an informational element thatincludes information about an event that gave rise to a presentation ofthe object.
 3. The media of claim 2, wherein the first continuousvibrational output results in the mobile communications device vibratingwith a first intensity.
 4. The media of claim 3, wherein the firstintensity increases as the object is progressively more displaced in thefirst direction.
 5. The media of claim 4, wherein the first intensityincreasing includes one or more of: an increase in frequency; or anincrease in magnitude.
 6. The media of claim 4, wherein the firstintensity monotonically increases as the object is progressively moredisplaced in the first direction such that every advancement of theobject in the first direction produces a vibrational output that isgreater than when the object was in any preceding position.
 7. The mediaof claim 6, wherein the first intensity monotonically increases as theobject is progressively more displaced in the first direction until theobject is moved in the first direction beyond a threshold distance froma starting position, wherein thereafter, the vibrational response is nolonger monotonically increasing.
 8. The media of claim 2, wherein thesecond continuous vibrational output results in the mobilecommunications device vibrating with a second intensity.
 9. The media ofclaim 8, wherein the second intensity decreases as the object isprogressively more displaced in the second direction.
 10. The media ofclaim 9, wherein the second intensity decreasing includes one or moreof: a decrease in frequency; or a decrease in magnitude.
 11. The mediaof claim 9, wherein the second intensity monotonically decreases as theobject is progressively more displaced in the second direction such thatevery advancement of the object in the second direction produces avibrational response that is less than when the object was at in anypreceding position.
 12. The media of claim 11, wherein the firstintensity monotonically decreases as the object is progressively moredisplaced in the second direction until the object is moved in thesecond direction beyond a threshold distance from a starting position,wherein thereafter, the vibrational response is no longer monotonicallydecreasing.
 13. The media of claim 11, wherein the intensity of outputis perceivable to a user such that directional movement of the object isascertainable by the vibrational response.
 14. The media of claim 13,wherein the directional movement is ascertainable because an increasingvibrational intensity indicates movement of the object in the firstdirection and a decreasing vibrational intensity indicates movement ofthe object in the second direction, thereby enabling a user to knowwhich direction the object is being moved without looking at the mobilecommunications device.
 15. A mobile communications device comprising: aradio that facilitates wireless communication with a telecommunicationsnetwork; a vibration component that is adapted to create a vibrationalresponse of the mobile communications device; a touchscreen that isadapted to receive input by way of a touch action; and a processorcoupled to the vibration component and to the touchscreen, wherein theprocessor is configured to help coordinate the vibrational response to amovement of an object on the touchscreen such that a movement of theobject in a first direction will produce a first real-time vibrationaloutput and that a movement of the GUI control in a second direction willresult in a second real-time vibrational output.
 16. The mobilecommunications device of claim 15, wherein the created vibrationalresponse is not a playback of a prerecorded action; but rather, adynamically created vibrational response that is created based on amovement of the object.
 17. The mobile communications device of claim15, wherein the vibrational output increases in intensity as the objectis moved in the first direction, and decreases in intensity as theobject is moved in the second direction.
 18. A method of utilizingreal-time control of a vibration component of a mobile communicationsdevice to provide informational feedback, the method comprising:receiving at the mobile communications device an indication of anoccurrence of an event; presenting an object on a touchscreen of themobile communications device that can be manipulated via touch action torespond to the event; and in real time, varying an intensity of avibrational response of the vibration component consistent with amovement of the object such that movement of the object in a firstdirection results in a first vibrational output, and movement of theobjection in a second direction results in a second vibrational output.19. The method of claim 18, wherein varying the intensity of thevibrational response includes varying one or more of: a magnitude of theresponse; or a frequency of the response.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the first vibrational output and the second vibrational outputfollow respective patterns that enable a user to determine a directionalmovement of the object based on the first and second vibrationaloutputs.